Only Reclaimed R404A, R422D and R507 Are Legal Today

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Reclaimed Refrigerants Only — What Does This Mean in Practice?

From 1 January 2025, new EU regulations have come into force that fundamentally change the rules for servicing and operating refrigeration systems. From 1 January 2026, these rules also apply to all air conditioning equipment and heat pumps. Under current legislation, only reclaimed refrigerants with a GWP ≥ 2500 — such as R404A, R422D, and R507 — may be used in the servicing and maintenance of any refrigeration equipment.

What Does This Mean for Service Technicians and System Operators?

  1. Virgin refrigerants are available on the market — but their use is prohibited. The fact that a refrigerant is available on the market does not mean it can be legally used. Using virgin F-gases with a GWP ≥ 2500 in servicing and maintenance is today a violation of the law, regardless of where it was purchased.
  2. The legal solution? Reclaimed refrigerants only. Only reclaimed refrigerants with a GWP ≥ 2500 may be used in compliance with regulations — and they are the only option that ensures uninterrupted system operation without the risk of sanctions. Find out how to identify a cylinder containing a legal refrigerant (link)
  3. A quality certificate is not a formality — it is a legal requirement. Every legally used reclaimed refrigerant must carry a refrigerant quality certificate (compliant with the AHRI 700 standard). This document must be presented during inspections by the Regional Environmental Inspectorate (WIOŚ). No certificate means no proof of the refrigerant’s legality.
  4. Both parties bear responsibility. Liability for using a virgin refrigerant with a GWP ≥ 2500 rests with both the service company and the operator/user of the refrigeration system. The risk therefore applies not only to service technicians, but also to operators of refrigeration and air conditioning equipment.

Legal and Technical Compliance — It Pays Off

By choosing certified, reclaimed refrigerants, you gain:

  • Compliance with current regulations,
  • Security during inspections,
  • Uninterrupted system operation,
  • A genuine contribution to climate protection.

The PROZON Foundation is the only organisation in Poland to offer a wide availability of reclaimed refrigerants with full quality documentation — so you can focus on your work, not on risk.

Have questions or need a legal, reclaimed refrigerant? Get in touch with us!